Cap-threading machine



A. L. MEROLLE.

CAP THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 05023.1918.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

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CAP THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED nmzs. I918.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.;

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A. L. MEROLLE.

CAP, THREAD'ING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.23 1918.

1,392,344. Patented 0013.4,1921.

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A. L. MEROLLE.

CAP THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 23. 1918.

1,392,844, Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

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A. L. MEROLLE.

CAP THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 02013.1913.

1,392,844. Patented 0615.4,1921.

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urrso STATES AUGUSTUS L. MEROLLE, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO LESLIE a. N. CARVALI-IO, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CAP-THREADING MACHINE,

. Application filed December 23, 1918.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS L. Mn- RoLLE, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cap-Threading Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cap threading machine.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple but thoroughly practical and efficient machine wherewith to impress threads in the flange portions of jar or bottle caps or the like.

A further object is to provide a machine by which a greater number of caps may be operated upon in a given period of time than has been attained heretofore.

A further object is to provide amachine so constructed that no derangement of the parts thereof, and no discontinuance of its operation shall necessarily follow if a cap to be operated upon is placed in the machine Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above,-will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention; and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawingswhich are to be taken as a part of this specification, and'in which I have shown merely a preferred form of embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, portions being broken away and shown in'horizontal section for better disclosing the construction and arrangement of parts.

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the structure of Fig. 1, the view being taken from the left hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of line IV of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. '5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. d, 1921.

Serial No. 268,430.

view illustrating the operation of the thread forming parts of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but illustrating parts of the chute in position feeding caps into position within the machine.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken upon the plane of line VI of Fig. 2.

Figs. 8 to 12 are diagrammatic views illustrating the successive steps of the operation of the dies in threading a cap.

Referring to the drawings for describing in detail the structure which is illustrated therein, the reference-character L indicates a platform, or base plate upon which'is arranged two standards as (r and H spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other. Rot-atably mounted in these standards is a pair of shafts 1 and 2, and between these is a third shaft 3.

The shaft 1, in addition to being rotatable, is also adapted to slide longitudinally within its bearings. At its left hand end, beyond the standard G, it carries a die 4. At its right hand end, just beyond the standard H, it carries a grooved collar 5, and between this collar and a standard 6, is arranged a compression spring 7 designed to urge the shaft toward the left at all times. The spring 7 surrounds the shaft and the end thereof adjacent the collar5 engages an antifriction ring 8 so that the rotation of the shaft is not impeded or interfered with by the spring.

Collars 9 and 10 are fixed to the shaft in positions simultaneously to engage against the standards G and 6 for limiting the left, or forward movement of the shaft.

The shaft 2 is mounted for rotation only and maybe conveniently referred to as a cam shaft since it carries three separate cams fixed thereto, as 11, 12 and 13. This shaft may be driven in any suitable manner, but is preferably driven from, a small gear 14 which stands at all times in engagement with a large gear 15 mounted on the cam shaft, the gear 1d being carried upon ase arate shaft 16 and being adapted to be riven, from any suitable source, by a large pulley, or the like, as 17.

v The shaft 3 is mounted not only for rotation but also so as to have a limited swingpart 22. The bearing part is arranged" within an opening 23 provided in the standard H and. suitable pivot pins engage be-" tween said bearing portion and the adjacent portions of the standard H'to provide the pivotal connection 18. The bearing part 21 is mounted to slide transversely within an elongated opening 24 provided in the standard G, theplane of movement of the part 21 being in a direction directly toward and away from the center of the shaft 1. v

To rotate the shafts 1 and 3 from the shaft 2, the shaft 2 carries a large gear 25 which, operating preferably through an idler gear 26, imparts rotation to a gear 27 fixed to the right hand, or rear, end of the shaft 3, and this in turn imparts motion to a gear 28 mounted on the shaft 1.

The gear 28 is provided with a key 29 which slidably engages within a key-way 30 formed longitudinally within the shaft 1. A housing 31, fixed to the standard H, serves to retain the gear 28 at all times in mesh with the gear 27.

The cam shaft rotates the gear 25 continuously and at uniform speed and this continuous rotation is imparted to the shafts 3 and 1, and the longitudinal movement of shaft 1 and the swinging movement of shaft Y 3 taking place at timed intervals irrespective of the rotation of said shafts. The key 29 and slot 30 provide for the sliding movement'of the shaft 1 during the rotation of said shaft, and there is sufiicient looseness of fit between the teeth of the gears 26, 27 and 28 to accommodate the slight swinging movement of the gear 27 with the shaft 3.

Sliding movement of the shaft 1 against the pressure of the spring 7 is accomplished by a yoke arm 32 which is pivotally mounted, as at 33, and which carries rollers 34 at one end engaging the grooved collar 5, and which carries a roller 35 at its other end engaging thecam 11. As the roller 35 rides upon the relatively high portions, as 36, of the cam 11,

the arm 32 is swung so as to compress the spring 7 and withdraw the die 4 from its forward position, while when the roller 35 rests upon the relatively low portion of the cam 11, the spring 7 is permitted to perform its function of retainin the collars 9 and 10 against the standards and 6 to hold the die 4 in operating position.

The function of the cam 12 is to control the swinging movements of the shaft 3. It is arranged to operate upon an anti-friction roller37 which is fixed to a yoke 38 which between the pivot pins 44 and 45.

surface of the cam 13.

is in turn connected with the bearing part 21 and which is formed with a slot 39 through which passes the shaft 2. A tension spring 40 is fixed-by one end to the yoke 38 and by its other end to an extension piece 41 of the standard G and is adapted to hold the roller 37 at all times in tight engagement with the surface of the cam 12. The spring 40at the same time, of course, always urges the die 19 away from the die 4.

The connections between the yoke 38 and the bearing part 21 include a pair of members, as 42 and 43, the former being pivotally connected to the yoke by a pivot pin 44, and the latter being pivotally connected to the bearing part 21 by a pivot pin 45. The

two parts 42 and 43 have thread engagement with each other,-as 'at 46, so that any interrotation between them will alter the distance \Vhenever, therefore, it is desired to alter the pressure exerted by the die 19 against the die 4, it is simply necessary, to remove one of the pivot pins 44 or 45, and rotate one of the parts 42 or 43. When the pivot pin is re turned, the parts are permanently held in their newly adjusted position. To better accommodate this operation, the pivot pin 45 preferably is made as a screw so that it may be readily removed and inserted as occasion may require.

The yoke 38 is held in position between the cam 12 and the opposing fiat surface of the standard G, that its only movement is in a plane extending directly toward and away from the center of the shaft 1.

The purpose of the cam 13 is to operate a kicker finger 47 for removing the finished caps fromthe machine. This kicker finger is pivotally mounted upon a shaft 48vexte'nding through the standard G. A short arm 49 is fixed to the rearend of the shaft 48 and is engaged by one end of a lever 50 which is pivotally mounted, as at 51, in the standard G and which has an arm. 52 carrying a roller 53 into en agement with the A tension spring 54 serves at all times to retain the roller 53 against the cam and tothus normally hold the kicker finger in its lowered position.

A chute 55 is provided for feeding the caps into the machine preparatory to being operated upon by the dies 4 and 19. The chute may communicate with a hopper or other suitable device, and its lower end is fixed to a supporting bracket 56 which has a p0I-- ti on 57 positioned directl in front of the die 4 so as to prevent any orward movement 'of the cap when the .die 4- is moving forwardly into the cap.

The bracket 56 is fixed to a standard 58 which is shaped to provide a concaved seat 59 in a position to receive the caps from the chute 55 and to hold said caps in a position to be operated upon by the dleS. The stand ard 58 also carries a vertical stopper plate portion 60 which has an opening 61 there through through which the die 4 moves. The plate 60 is so arranged that it serves to hold the qaps within the seat 59 prior to the forward movement of the (lie 4 and to prevent the finished cap from following the die 4 when said die is withdrawn.

It should be noted that the chute 55 is connected so that it may be readily attached,-

or removed from the supporting bracket 56. This is accomplished by shaping the bracket so that it provides a pair of flanges, as 62, projecting laterally from the main portion, as 63, thereof at its upper end. The lower end of the chute, has a portion of its forward wall cut away and bent to provide a finger 64 for overlapping the upper edge of the portion 63 and for engaging the forward face of said portion 63, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The chute is thus held against movement in all directions except directly upwardly.

It is believed that the operation of the machine may now be readily understood, as follows Y Assuming that there are a number of unthreaded caps in the chute 55 so that the lowermost cap rests within the pocket 59 ready to be operated'upon and that the die 4 is in its non-operating position, as indicated by the diagrammatic view Fig.8, also that all of the'shafts are rotating as above pointed out. At this time the die 19 is in non-operative position and the kicker finger 47 is lowered, the rotation of the cam shaft 2, by means of the cam 11 and the yoke arm 32, now first causes the die 4 to move forward into operating position within the cap, as 65, as seen in Fig. 9. The cap is suffi ciently large to permit the easy insertion of the die. The continued rotation of the cam shaft, then operatin through the cam 12, and the yoke 38, the eupon swings the die 19 against the. outer surface of the flange portion of the cap, as in Fig. 10, and the parts remain in this position while the dies rotate sufficiently to cause at least a com.-

plete rotation of the cap thereby impressing into the entire circumference offthe flange portion of the cap a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the dies.

Although this configuration is herein shown and described as constitutingsimple threads,

will be understood that other, configurations may be as readily impressedJ nevertheless it The frictional grip of the two dies upon the material of the cap, is sufficient to cause the cap to rotate with the dies.

As soon as the operation of the dies iscomplete, the continued rotation of the shaft 2 brings the cam 12 ,intoa position permitting the die 19 to swing into its 'non-o erating position, as in Fig. 11, and the s aft .11 into a position forcingthe die 4 into-its inoperative position, as in Fig. 12, leaving the finished cap resting .in the seat 59. As soon as the die 4 is withdrawn the cam 13 operates the kicker finger 47. and removes the finished cap whereupon a new cap falls into the seat 59 and the operation is repeated.

All of the operations of this device are simple and direct, and it is particularl noted that by arranging the die 4 so that its forward movement into operative position is accomplished by spring pressure, it follows that if a cap to be operated upon is accidentally placed upon the seat 59 in any manner except its correct position, for instance, if the cap is placed with its closed end, instead of its open end, .facing the die,'the spring pressed movement of the die will simply be arrested and the complete cycle of operations of the machine will progress without interruption or evil result until the kicker finger 47 operates to automatically displace the improperly positioned cap. Then the normal f peration of the machine will continue as beore.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative onl and not in a limiting sense.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1..A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair of rotatable dies, means for positively rotating both of said dies, means for moving one of said dies in a direction toward and away from the other, means for moving one of said dies in a direction transverse to said first mentioned direction, a holder for holding a. cap in a position to receive one of said dies, and means to expel thefinished cap from said holder.

noves one direction and said holder hav- 1ng.a part forretaimng the finished cap against following said second mentioned die when said second mentioned die moves in the 0 posite direction.

3. machinefor threading, caps and the like comprising a pair of rotatable dies, means for positively rotating both of said dies, means whereby said two dies are movable through paths at an angle to each other, 13o

means for retaining at the point of convergence of said two paths a cap to be operated upon, means to move one of said dies through its respective path toward inoperative pl u sition, cap dlscharge mechanlsm located at the point of convergence of said two paths of said shafts to rotate therewith, means at the driving end of one of said shafts-whereby said shaft is pivotally mounted to swing its die toward and away from the other die, means for swinging said pivoted shaft, and means whereby the second die is movable in a direction longitudinally of its carrying shaft. A

'5. A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair of dies, a pair of shafts, each carrying one of said dies, means for rotating said shafts and dies, means whereby one of said dies is movable toward and away from the other die, means whereby the second die is movable into operative and inoperative positions, resilient means urging said second die into operative position, and means operable to move said second die into inoperative position against said resilient means.

6. A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair'of dies, a pair of shafts each carrying one of said dies, means for rotating said shafts and dies, means whereby 'one of said shafts is pivotally mounted to swing its die toward and away' from the other die, a cam shaft, and means carried by said cam shaft which serves to rotate said first mentioned shafts and to swing said pivotally mounted shaft.

7. A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair of dies, a pair of shafts each carryin one of said dies, means whereby one, of said shafts is pivotally mounted to swing its die toward and away 1 from the other die, a drive shaft, gear connections between said drive shaft and said first mentioned shafts. whereby to rotate said first mentioned Tshafts from said drive shaft,

' and connections whereby to swing said pivotally mounted shaft from said drive shaft.

8. A machine for threading caps and the like comprisinga pair of dies, a pair of shafts each carrying one of said dies, means for rotating said shafts and dies, means whereby one of said shafts is pivotally mounted to swing its die toward and away from the other die, a drive shaft, connections between the drive shaft and the carrying shaft of the second mentioned die whereby to move said second mentioned die in a direction transverse of the movement of the first die, and connections between the drive shaft and the pivotally mounted shaft for swinging said pivotally mounted shaft.

9. A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair of dies, a pair of shafts ea'chcarrying one of said dies, :1. pair of supports within which said shafts are rotatably supported, said supports being spaced apart, a separate frame pivotally mounted upon one of said supports and extending into slidable engagement with the other support and comprising bearing parts for one of said shafts whereby to pivotally support said shaft, means to swing said frame and shaft, and means for moving the other shaft in a direction transverse to the path of swing of the first shaft.

10. A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair of dies, a pair of shafts each carrying one of said dies, a drive shaft, said shafts being arranged side by side in approximately parallel :position, gears connected one with each of said shafts and being in constant mesh with each other so that rotation of the drive shaft will rotate said die shafts, one ofsaid die shafts being pivotally mounted to swing its die into and out of cooperative relation with the die of the other die shaft, and means carried by saiddi iye shaft operable to so swing said pivoted die shaft.

1 1.A machine for threading caps and the like comprising a pair of dies, a pair of shafts each carrying one of said dies, a drive shaft, saidshafts being arranged side by side in approximately parallel position, gears connected one with each of said shafts and being in constant mesh with each other so that rotation of the drive shaft will rotate said die shafts, one of said die shafts being pivotally mounted to swing its die into an out of cooperativerelation with the die of the other die shaft, and means carried by said drive shaft operable to so swing said pivoted die shaft, together with means arranged to be operated from said drive shaft for moving said mentioned other die shaft longitudinally. v

' 12. A machine forthreading caps and the like comprising a pair of dies, a pair of shafts each carrying one of said dies, a drive shaft, said shafts being arranged side by side in approximately parallel position, gears connected one with each of said shafts and being in constant mesh with each other so that rotation of the drive shaft will rotate said die shafts, one of said die shafts bein pivotally mounted to swing its die into and out of cooperative relation with the die of the other die shaft, meanscarried-by said drive shaft operable to so swing said pivoted die shaft, said mentioned other die shaft being movable longitudinally to dispose its die into and out of operative position, resilientmeans to urge this die shaft into operative position, and means arranged to be operated from said drive shaft for moving said mentioned other die shaft longitudinally into inoperative position against said resilient means.

13. A machine for threading caps and the like, comprising a pair of rotatable dies, means for rotating said dies, said dies being spaced apart diagonally from each other when in inoperative position, means for moving one of said dies bodily through a given path from its said inoperative to an operative position, means for moving the other die bodily through a different path from its said inoperative to an operative position, said mentioned paths being at an angle to each other. said paths extending so that said two dies will stand side by side when in operative position, and means to support a cap in position to be operated upon by said dies when said dies are in operative position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS L. MEROLLE. 

